EUROPE MARKETS: European Stocks Rise, Euro Jumps After German Progress In Coalition Talks

Vivendi trims outlook

European stocks edged higher Friday, with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and industrial names advancing, but gains were held in check by a surging euro on the back of a breakthrough in German government-coalition talks.

How markets are moving

The Stoxx Europe 600 index rose 0.3% to close at 398.49, swinging into positive for the week and ending with a 0.3% weekly gain.

Germany's DAX 30 index closed up 0.3% at 13,245.03, and France's CAC 40 picked up 0.5% to 5,517.06.

The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index edged up 0.2% at 7,778.64, scoring another record closing high.

Read:These 5 charts are all 'flashing green' for more U.K. stock records (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/these-5-charts-are-all-flashing-green-for-more-uk-stock-records-2018-01-08)

The euro charged up to $1.2132 from $1.2034 late Thursday in New York.

What's driving markets

Trading got under way with news that German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative CDU party has reached an initial deal with Martin Schulz's center-left SPD for formal coalition negotiations. Germany in September held elections in which incumbent Merkel won, but she had since been unable to secure a coalition to rule.

The coalition news sent the euro surging above $1.21 against the dollar for the first time since January 2015. But a stronger euro can weigh on shares of European exporters as it can make their products more expensive for holders of other currencies to purchase.

The shared currency has risen roughly 0.8% against the greenback this week. It leapt through $1.20 on Thursday after minutes from the ECB's December meeting (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/euro-spikes-higher-as-ecb-minutes-suggest-possible-hawkish-shift-toward-monetary-policy-2018-01-11) suggested it may take on a hawkish tone on its stimulus efforts as the eurozone economy has continued to expand.

Investors this week have been starting to see more trading updates as the earnings season begins to pick up pace.

What strategists are saying

"Merkel is one of the biggest proponents of the eurozone project, and her ability to remain in power will be key to ensuring stability as we go forward. While a deal is not across the line, the sands seem to be shifting in favor of a positive, stable resolution which is expected to remove a significant degree of uncertainty for euro traders," said IG Market Analyst Joshua Mahony in a note.

Stock movers

GKN (GKN.LN) shares rallied 26% as the engineering group said it is rejected an offer approach from Melrose Industries PLC (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gkn-rejects-offer-approach-from-melrose-industries-2018-01-12-34853836)(MRO.LN). GKN also said it plans to separate its aerospace and automotive businesses, as it named Anne Stevens as chief executive officer.

Fiat Chrysler shares (FCA.MI) (FCA.MI) in Milan rose 0.7% after the company said late Thursday it plans to invest $1 billion to shift production (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fiat-chrysler-to-move-some-production-to-michigan-2018-01-11) of its profitable Ram Heavy Duty trucks to Michigan from Mexico. The move could help the Italian-U.S. auto maker lower risks related to potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Vivendi SA shares (VIV.FR) fell 3.8%, with the French media group saying it foresees 2017 growth of 20% to 25% (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/vivendi-confirms-it-expects-20-25-earnings-growth-2018-01-12) in earnings before interest, taxes and amortization. It also said revenues should increase by close to 5%. Vivendi had previously projected revenues to increase by more than 5% and core earnings to rise by around 25%.

German auto maker Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) (VOW.XE) picked up 1.1%. The company's rating at Macquarie was raised to outperform from neutral, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 12, 2018 12:23 ET (17:23 GMT)